FBI Investigates Crew of Cargo Ship in Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Plus a list of recent bridge/barge incidents from Ohio to New York.
The FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, focusing on the crew of the Dali, a cargo ship implicated in the disaster. On March 26, the ship, carrying a 22-member crew and owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private, struck a column of the bridge, causing a significant portion to collapse into the Patapsco River and resulting in the death of six construction workers.
This incident has prompted a response from Baltimore's mayor, Brandon Scott, who is seeking accountability by hiring law firms to sue the ship's owners and has criticized the company's attempt to limit its liability shortly after the tragedy.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is concurrently conducting a federal investigation into the accident, with initial findings pointing towards electrical power issues in the ship's engine room as a potential cause. The NTSB is collaborating with Hyundai, the manufacturer of the ship's engine room equipment, to further examine the ship's electrical system and circuit breakers. Additionally, the design of the bridge and possible improvements for pier protection under current standards are being evaluated.
Recovery efforts have been underway, with divers retrieving three bodies from the wreckage and work ongoing to remove sections of the collapsed bridge from the river. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has highlighted the complexity of these operations and announced plans to open a temporary shipping channel to alleviate the impact on commercial traffic through Baltimore’s port.
The tragic event has galvanized federal and state officials to consider significant infrastructure investments, drawing comparisons to bipartisan efforts that funded the reconstruction of the Interstate 35 bridge in Minnesota after its collapse. The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report on the Baltimore bridge collapse early next month, offering insights into the causes and circumstances leading up to this devastating incident.
Other Recent Bridge and Shipping Incidents in the United States
Valley View Bridge goes up in flames: On March 26, 2024, a fire broke out underneath the Valley View Bridge in Ohio. The incident occurred at Kurtz Bros., Inc., a landscaping supply center located on Canal Road in Valley View. The fire was caused by a "spontaneous combustion situation" involving raw wood products at the facility. While such occurrences are not uncommon due to the nature of the materials, this fire escalated to a significant extent.
The flames from the fire were visible from miles away, and smoke was blown into downtown Cleveland by a south wind. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Barge carrying methanol breaks off in Kentucky: In Louisville, Kentucky on March 29, 2024, a late-night collision on the Ohio River resulted in numerous barges breaking free from the vessel tugging them. One of the barges was carrying 1,400 metric tons of methanol and became partially submerged. Emergency response teams were dispatched to secure the barges and prevent any leaks or environmental impact
Oklahoma bridge hit by a barge: A bridge in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was temporarily closed after being struck by a barge on March 30. The incident occurred at the Kerr Reservoir near the Kerr Lock and Dam, leading to the closure of US-59 south of Sallisaw for over two hours for inspections. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol diverted traffic and recommended detours, while the Oklahoma Department of Transportation inspected the bridge and later deemed it safe for vehicle travel. The bridge has since reopened. The incident was first reported by a fisherman, and witnesses described the collision as sounding like gunshots, causing concern for the structural integrity of the bridge. Fortunately, no significant damage was reported, and there were no injuries.
Massive container ship loses power near NYC's Verrazzano Bridge: On April 7, 2024, the 89,000-ton container ship M/V APL Qingdao lost propulsion power while traversing the Kill Van Kull, the shipping lane between Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey. The vessel was brought to a rest near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with the assistance of three tugboats.
I imagine the FBI feels a need to look as if they are legit when, in all possibility, they could have a hand in any of these occurrences. given the fact that they like to infiltrate traditional Catholic churches under their delusion that these folks are
radical extremists' because they don't cave into the abortion industry and gender ideology.